n. If it
hadn't been for Eben here, I don't know what would have happened to me."

"An' he hit ye fer that?" Eben asked in surprise.

"Yes, for that, and because of the money."

"What money?"

"Hush-money; that's what it was. He dragged it out of Mrs. Hampton,
that's what he did, the villain. She paid him to keep silent."

The light of understanding dawned in Eben's eyes, and he even smiled.

"It had to do with the girl, eh?" he queried. "Mrs. Hampton paid Gabe
to say nuthin' about her, I s'pose. She wants to keep her hidden from
her dad. I came here in his car, and I tell ye he's mighty mad."

"Has he found her?" Grimsby asked, forgetting in his interest his
battered face.

"Naw, he hasn't found her. But he will, though, if you don't git a
hustle on. He knows where she is."

"He does! Where?"

"Oh, it's no use tellin' you. What can you do? You'll be in bed
to-morrow nursin' yer face."

"No, I won't. Just tell me where that girl is, an' I'll send word to
the city this very night."

"Why should I tell ye, Gabe? Ye don't deserve to be told after what ye
did to yer wife."

"I swear I'll never do such a thing again, Eben. I lost my head, an'
didn't realise what I was doing.

"H'm, I guess ye nearly lost yer head when I got hold of ye. If it
hadn't been fer yer wife here I'd had yer head off by this time. But
come along outside, an' we'll talk this matter over. Them kids ought
to be in bed," and he motioned to the weary children over in the
corner. "Good-bye, Mrs. Grimsby; jist send me word if Gabe hits ye
agin. I'll fix him fer sure next time. Come along, Gabe, I want to
have a talk with ye."

CHAPTER XXV

THE FOREST FIRE

John Hampton was somewhat late in leaving the island the next morning.
There had been many things to do, and he found the life so pleasant
that he preferred to stay all day. But it was necessary for him to get
back home to look after the stock, and attend to many other duties
around the place.

"Do you think you can manage all right, John?" Mrs. Hampton anxiously
asked as she and Jess accompanied him to the boat. "I feel that I
should go home too."

"Oh, I shall have no trouble, mother," John assured, her. "But I don't
like to leave you two here alone. I shall be back, though, as early as
I can this evening."

"We shall have a great time together, shan't we?" and Jess turned to
Mrs. Hampton as she spoke. "I am looking forward so much to this day